Digital Camera Shopping Guide on ShoppingSoLow.com

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In shopping for a digital camera, many photographers make the mistake of trying to find "the best digital camera." Of course, that's a moving target as digital cameras get better and better with each new model introduction, but what they are really asking is "what's the perfect digital camera" -- and there's no such thing. In their (often) exhaustive search, many end up discouraged and even more confused than when they started.

Resolution:
Resolution is measured in pixels (the tiny little color dots that make up a picture). As logic would indicate, the more pixels you have, the more solid and lifelike the image will appear. All digital cameras have at least a million pixels, so they're actually measured in mega-pixels.

If you plan on using your digital camera exclusively for e-mailing photos and/or web-design, a camera with at least two mega-pixels should be fine. If you ever want to make high-quality print-outs with your camera, you should seriously consider one with at least three mega-pixels.

Type of Camera
Consider how you’ll use your camera. Do you want something small that you can carry everywhere? Or do you want total control over your shots? Keep in mind that more advanced cameras will cost more.

Compact: Inexpensive, lightweight, and pocketable. Ideal for snapshots. They often lack manual controls.
Advanced Amateur: Portable but not pocketable, with advanced controls and powerful zoom lenses.
Digital SLR: Relatively large. Offers advanced controls, interchangeable lenses, and professional features.

Memory:
Cameras from different manufacturers use different types of storage chips. You can always purchase additional chips if you wish, but some types, such as flash memory cards are able to hold more photos. Other storage chips are less expensive, but hold fewer photos.

Zoom:
Cameras with a good zoom function are especially important if you have a family member that doesn't like to have their picture taken. A powerful zoom will allow you to take their picture from clear across the room without them even realizing.

Batteries

Rechargeable Lithium: Designed specifically for the camera by the manufacturer, so they tend to be more compact. Typically carry a longer charge.
Rechargeable NiMH: Bulkier than Lithium batteries. Accepts regular A batteries in a pinch.

Tip: Your camera’s battery charger shouldn&38217;t be larger than the camera itself. Give extra consideration to compact chargers that plug directly into the wall without using a cord.

Advanced Options

Manual White Balance: Measures the available light to create a custom white balance setting. Useful in low-light situations.
Raw Files: Stores raw camera data that can be manipulated later on the computer. Offers the greatest flexibility in exposure and white balance settings.
Hot-Shoe: A bracket at the top of the camera for mounting an external flash.
Spot Metering: Lets you meter a small area in the center of your viewfinder for correct exposure. Helpful in tricky lighting situations.

Special Features

Movies: The best cameras record full-frame QuickTime video (640x480 pixels) at 15 fps or faster. But half frame video (320x240 pixels) is acceptable for some people.
Panoramas: It should provide visual guides on the LCD for aligning overlapping frames when taking panorama images.
Audio Annotations: Lets you add short voice recordings to images.
Weather Resistant: Is the camera sturdy? Is there an underwater housing available for your model?

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